Germany Confronts Rhine Threat to Economy After Crisis Talks

(Bloomberg) — Germany’s economy is being threatened by a chronic lack of water in the Rhine, according to Transport Minister Steffen Bilger.

Speaking just days after the country’s key logistics artery saw levels drop to record lows, Bilger highlighted the “very challenging situation” and warned that the difficulty of using the river will shift more traffic onto land routes.

“Every extra centimeter of water means more shipments and less cargo on rail and roads,” he said after a meeting with industry representatives in Bonn, which sits on the river.

The Rhine connects the Port of Rotterdam —